Here we are...
Currently at my terminal. One too many Mimosas. Maybe a free Blue Moon. Or two. Who cares at this point? I board my plane to Tokyo in 40 minutes. I leave the U.S. for an undetermined amount of time in aboutttttttt 85 minutes. I learned this morning that minutes go by really, really fast when you are trying to keep track of them.
Six months. I'm already counting down the days.
I'm blasting my favorite song at the moment: Am I Wrong? by Nico and Vinz. I am OBSESSED and obviously taking mandatory dance breaks at my favorite points in the song. You should listen to it too.
Today has already been the simultaneously most exciting and saddest day in a long time. US Men's Team advanced in to the final sixteen! Huzzah!l And then I left my Turtles behind..... But for now?? On to the biggest adventure of my life!
I have a serious case of wanderlust.
Jun 27, 2014
Jun 26, 2014
24 Hours Out and All The Feels.
WHEN/HOW/WHY IS IT ALREADY JUNE 25TH!?!?!?
Oh my goodness gracious. The 'Final Pack' is 99% done. I think. Check back for an update at a later time.
So here we are! 24 hours left! 24 hours and I'll be on my way to Tokyo. SO CRAZY, but I am very excited! This is going to be the adventure of a life time, even with all of the anxiety I am dealing with right now. I tried to explain to Tucker last night that I've spent essentially a month just sitting around and waiting for this moment. A month is a long time to let myself get into my own head. I don't like to call it anxiety, it's more like, I'm just well aware of everything that could go catastrophically wrong.
What am I doing for my last 23 hours on American soil? Eating cheese. Eating burritos. Mentally preparing my self to get from Point A (Japan) to Point B (The Philippines). Trying to imagine what life is going to be like four weeks from now when I am getting ready to finish up work in the field and I'm on my way to point C (China).
It's overwhelming.
Last night I got really sad when I realized just how much I am going to miss in the next year. The birth of my niece, Aniya. Our 3rd and 4th wedding anniversaries. Tucker's 26th birthday (I missed his 23rd while I was in South America). My 25th and 26th birthdays will both be spent abroad. Friends' weddings. Eating Annie's Mac 'n Cheese with Katie.
Laughing at Mozzie.
Cuddling with Googoo Bear and Bozzywozzy in the mornings. All of the holidays. It's the little things that I take for granted. I'm now realizing that there are many little things that I am going to have to do without.
Oh my goodness gracious. The 'Final Pack' is 99% done. I think. Check back for an update at a later time.
So here we are! 24 hours left! 24 hours and I'll be on my way to Tokyo. SO CRAZY, but I am very excited! This is going to be the adventure of a life time, even with all of the anxiety I am dealing with right now. I tried to explain to Tucker last night that I've spent essentially a month just sitting around and waiting for this moment. A month is a long time to let myself get into my own head. I don't like to call it anxiety, it's more like, I'm just well aware of everything that could go catastrophically wrong.
What am I doing for my last 23 hours on American soil? Eating cheese. Eating burritos. Mentally preparing my self to get from Point A (Japan) to Point B (The Philippines). Trying to imagine what life is going to be like four weeks from now when I am getting ready to finish up work in the field and I'm on my way to point C (China).
It's overwhelming.
Last night I got really sad when I realized just how much I am going to miss in the next year. The birth of my niece, Aniya. Our 3rd and 4th wedding anniversaries. Tucker's 26th birthday (I missed his 23rd while I was in South America). My 25th and 26th birthdays will both be spent abroad. Friends' weddings. Eating Annie's Mac 'n Cheese with Katie.
Laughing at Mozzie.
Jun 24, 2014
Packing, Binge Eating, Other Things.
This is overwhelming.
I've packed and unpacked and repacked my biggest bag. My baggage consists of my husband's old LC football duffle, a Victoria's Secret Pink bag and a waterproof back pack I bought for field school last summer. In case you were wondering, it gets wet in the Philippines. Daily. Each pack has been edited by a few shirts or a scarf. I'm still wondering how I am going to be able to pull this off- especially knowing that I have a day in Tokyo that includes a 50 mile adventure between Narita and Haneda airports. This all, of course, is before I even get to Manila.
I know shoes and bras are the most important things to bring: I'm top-heavy and have the feet of a teenage boy. They're huge. Then the realization that everything I love to eat is nearly impossible to find in Asia. I only say nearly because it may be possible, but I'd probably be spending a month's worth of salary to do it. I am pretty sure that I've put on about 10 pounds in the last month because I know that I won't be able to eat all my favorite things (coughcoughBURRITOScoughcough) for a very, very long time. And then the fact that I can't use most of the face washes or make-up over there because most of them have whitening agents in them...
Moving across the world is a process. A tedious, expensive, time consuming process.
I've already made a list for my husband to send in goody boxes (whenever I get an address of course) and it looks something like this:
-Big Papa Dill Pickles- obviously my number 1 choice.
-Mascara and Eyeliner.
-Annie's Macaroni and Cheese.
-Cholula or Tapatio- I am really going to miss Mexican food. Mexican food is life.
-Face wash.
-Cover up.
-Photos of my furbabies and family.
-Coffee
My stomach is in knots. I've never been so nervous about something I decided to do. I can't distinguish if this is fear or raw excitement. What ever it is, I'm over feeling like there are constant butterflies in my stomach. We're zeroing in on 60 hours until take-off.
When did the end of June get here? It feels like 2014 just started!
I've packed and unpacked and repacked my biggest bag. My baggage consists of my husband's old LC football duffle, a Victoria's Secret Pink bag and a waterproof back pack I bought for field school last summer. In case you were wondering, it gets wet in the Philippines. Daily. Each pack has been edited by a few shirts or a scarf. I'm still wondering how I am going to be able to pull this off- especially knowing that I have a day in Tokyo that includes a 50 mile adventure between Narita and Haneda airports. This all, of course, is before I even get to Manila.
I know shoes and bras are the most important things to bring: I'm top-heavy and have the feet of a teenage boy. They're huge. Then the realization that everything I love to eat is nearly impossible to find in Asia. I only say nearly because it may be possible, but I'd probably be spending a month's worth of salary to do it. I am pretty sure that I've put on about 10 pounds in the last month because I know that I won't be able to eat all my favorite things (coughcoughBURRITOScoughcough) for a very, very long time. And then the fact that I can't use most of the face washes or make-up over there because most of them have whitening agents in them...
Moving across the world is a process. A tedious, expensive, time consuming process.
I've already made a list for my husband to send in goody boxes (whenever I get an address of course) and it looks something like this:
-Big Papa Dill Pickles- obviously my number 1 choice.
-Mascara and Eyeliner.
-Annie's Macaroni and Cheese.
-Cholula or Tapatio- I am really going to miss Mexican food. Mexican food is life.
-Face wash.
-Cover up.
-Photos of my furbabies and family.
-Coffee
My stomach is in knots. I've never been so nervous about something I decided to do. I can't distinguish if this is fear or raw excitement. What ever it is, I'm over feeling like there are constant butterflies in my stomach. We're zeroing in on 60 hours until take-off.
When did the end of June get here? It feels like 2014 just started!
 |
| Coming home from the Philippines last July.... Those are the only three bags I'm bringing over!!! |
Jun 23, 2014
The Plane Pain
I'm absolutely terrified of planes. At least for the first 45 minutes that I am on one. This is a relatively new development in my life. It started right after my buddy Zach and I took off out of the Santiago, Chile airport. I will go to my grave saying that the damn plane turned completely sideways like we were in some stupid movie. Short flights are nightmares for me. I am convinced every time I hear a noise that it means I am done for. More than once I have held hands with a stranger during a flight and more than once strangers have bought me drinks on because they are very aware of the absolute fear plastered across my face. Normally I quell the anxiety with one too many mimosas and forced nervous laughter.
I leave Thursday.
Everything was packed, to the brim, when I realized I didn't want to bring 3/4ths of the shirts I packed. I know I can buy new clothes there for damn near nothing It's not like I am doing this forever, so I don't really need that much stuff. Do I? I guess I'm just going to have to wait and find out.
 |
| Zach and I on our way to Uruguay.Struggles. |
I leave Thursday.
Everything was packed, to the brim, when I realized I didn't want to bring 3/4ths of the shirts I packed. I know I can buy new clothes there for damn near nothing It's not like I am doing this forever, so I don't really need that much stuff. Do I? I guess I'm just going to have to wait and find out.
Jun 22, 2014
Currently.
I came across this post idea while browsing Pinterest. Prompts get my mind jogging.
I leave in five days. This seems unreal. My adventure of a lifetime crept upon me faster than I imagined. Life hasn't fully sunk in yet and I don't think it will officially all sink in until I am stepping on a one way plane to Tokyo. When I used to leave I would always listen to "Leaving on A Jet Plane", now the lyrics are true:
"Oh kiss me, and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go. 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Oh, babe, I hate to go"Every. Time.
Currently Enjoying:
My final California sunsets for a while. Making dinner with Tucker. Cuddling with my furbabies. Baseball. Eating more pickles than godly possible. Stock piling wine for my return. Daydreaming about all the adventures my best friend and I are about to go on together. Peanut Butter.
Currently Feeling:
Restless. Torn. Excited. Terrified. Relieved. Adventurous. Nervous. Independent.
The list is endless.
Currently Wearing:
My absolutely favorite salmon colored maxi.
Currently Needing:
To shake this god-awful wine hangover.
I brought this on myself.
Jun 20, 2014
7 Days
Thoughts that go through my mind while packing to move across the world (with a month long lay over for field work in the Philippines first):
-How the hell do I have so many clothes? I thought my closet was barren. I guess I have zero reasons to complain about having absolutely nothing to wear at this point. I know that is a lie.
-F***, I can't fit any heels in here. Does it even matter? I'm already tall enough anyway.
-Do I need this sweater? Actually?
-Where did all of these layer tanks come from?
-What the hell!? These are definitely not mine. Who's are these??
-My life is in shambles. I quit. I can no longer pack things. I can easily survive with what I currently have packed. Right?
-If this is under 50lbs then I am actually the greatest packer in the world. Actually.
-Time for a dance party. Reggaeton it is. Damn, now I miss South America.
-This is never going to fit.
-I GOT IT ZIPPED UP! I AM ALL THAT IS MAN!
*One minute later*
-DAMN IT ALL TO HELL, I FORGOT MY FAVORITE SHIRT IN THE WASH. This was all for naught!
Even though I am completely packed, I know that the night before I take off I'm going to realize I forgot something crucial. This is just the way of the world and I have learned to embraced it.
Jun 17, 2014
10 Days and a Facelift!
If you visit often, much like my mom (I hope), you can see I FINALLY updated. It was time to start adding fun things to my online persona. Plus, I got a giant ego boost whenever I added HTML into my blog that actually worked. Basically feeling like a boss right now because of a couple of widgets. Holla!
We are almost into single digits until I jet off! I quit being stressed about packing. Whatever is desperately needed is packed, from here on out I am just going to roll with the punches. At this point I am just ready to get there. Now it is mainly trying to figure out technology and making sure all of my ducks are in a row. This is very exciting for me, but I don't think everything has completely sunk in. Moments flit by where I realize that I'm leaving my little bubble of comfort, but they are few are far between. I don't think I am as scared as I am excited to do something different! Here goes!
We are almost into single digits until I jet off! I quit being stressed about packing. Whatever is desperately needed is packed, from here on out I am just going to roll with the punches. At this point I am just ready to get there. Now it is mainly trying to figure out technology and making sure all of my ducks are in a row. This is very exciting for me, but I don't think everything has completely sunk in. Moments flit by where I realize that I'm leaving my little bubble of comfort, but they are few are far between. I don't think I am as scared as I am excited to do something different! Here goes!
Jun 15, 2014
12 days and June 16, 2013
We're ticking down. 12 days, barely packed, but I am ready. Ready-ish at least.
Reading over this journal post stirred up a lot of memories for me. It is no secret that I am fascinated with death. For a long time, and still, I wanted to be a medical examiner. There is something about that position, in particular, that is incredibly important to me.
Death is such a difficult subject to grasp. Scary, unknown. For some reason, studying it brings me a lot of peace. So, last summer when we unearthed three deceased children from Old Kiyyangan, all of my aspirations were reaffirmed and the work we were doing seemed even more meaningful to me.
06-16-13
I don't know how to accurately describe the last two days. For one, one of my biggest dreams came true. Albeit a morbid dream, but one none the less, we found a dead person. In fact, we found 3 dead people. Buried together for at least 500 years. Probably under the age of five. I found three dead kids. Once I step back and digest this find, I can't believe that just happened.
Our resident physical Anthropologist spent two days removing the trio from our trench. I was so fascinated. When everything was finally dug up we had to carry up the two skulls (we never found the third complete skull). I offered to carry up the most complete skull.
You have to understand how steep and awful the stairs we climb up and down each day are. Uneven. They hurt, but when I had that skull in my arms, nothing else mattered. I felt so small. So insignificant. I was carrying a dead child. In that moment, all I wanted was a kid of my own. A kid to love and raise. A kid to take care of and make sure what I was carrying away from Trench 8 would never happen to. While clutching the remains of this child, nothing else in the world seemed more important than getting him or her's remains safely back to camp. It was a moment unlike any other in the world.
<3 always
Cooper
Reading over this journal post stirred up a lot of memories for me. It is no secret that I am fascinated with death. For a long time, and still, I wanted to be a medical examiner. There is something about that position, in particular, that is incredibly important to me.
Death is such a difficult subject to grasp. Scary, unknown. For some reason, studying it brings me a lot of peace. So, last summer when we unearthed three deceased children from Old Kiyyangan, all of my aspirations were reaffirmed and the work we were doing seemed even more meaningful to me.
06-16-13
I don't know how to accurately describe the last two days. For one, one of my biggest dreams came true. Albeit a morbid dream, but one none the less, we found a dead person. In fact, we found 3 dead people. Buried together for at least 500 years. Probably under the age of five. I found three dead kids. Once I step back and digest this find, I can't believe that just happened.
Our resident physical Anthropologist spent two days removing the trio from our trench. I was so fascinated. When everything was finally dug up we had to carry up the two skulls (we never found the third complete skull). I offered to carry up the most complete skull.
You have to understand how steep and awful the stairs we climb up and down each day are. Uneven. They hurt, but when I had that skull in my arms, nothing else mattered. I felt so small. So insignificant. I was carrying a dead child. In that moment, all I wanted was a kid of my own. A kid to love and raise. A kid to take care of and make sure what I was carrying away from Trench 8 would never happen to. While clutching the remains of this child, nothing else in the world seemed more important than getting him or her's remains safely back to camp. It was a moment unlike any other in the world.
<3 always
Cooper
Jun 11, 2014
The Inevitable and June 14, 2013
Every day, around this time, roughly 7-9 pm my emotions start running rampant. These emotions usually start around the time the sun goes down where I live. I am incredibly fond of the sunsets that I get to watch from my back yard. If you follow my Instagram you already know that I devote much of my feed to the amazing sunsets from my back yard.
It is around this time that everything starts to really sink in. Things like, 'oh my goodness, you only get to watch 16 more of these before you're jetting off into one'. Or, 'you have to spend six months without seeing your husband. At all. He's night a short plane ride away from you'.
Last night Tucker and I visited our favorite restaurant one more time before I left. We usually go twice a year for super special occasions. It only took five minutes, but I was getting teary. La is so special to us and this was the last time we were going to be able to experience it together for quite some time.
On the other side of that coin: I'm ecstatic. The closer I get to leaving, the more empowered I feel. Finally I get to adventure like I have always wanted to. Asia was the last place I thought I'd move, but this is my dream. I'm doing it. I'm living this out and it is actually happening. It is happening in 16 days.
6-14-13
Here is a list of everything I am going to absolutely demand for the week after I get home:
Pickles- well duh.
Chorizo, Potato, Onion, Salsa, Egg Scramble.
Steak.
Lobster.
Sausage Kale Soup.
Pickled Garlic.
Garlic Ice Cream.
8:35 PM
Today has been such a big day. Finding that human mandible was seriously a high light of mine. I really am considering going back to school for Anatomy and Biology. It gets me so damn excited. Two burials, one right on top of the other, kids, just so amazing to find. Especially after how much of a clusterf**k our trenches are post- storm.
I miss you. Days here just feel like blurs. Life without you in it every day is the worst. You are truly my best friend. I've never missed you more. This time away has been such a test for us. I can't wait to hold you and love you.
One more day then a break finally! Ifugao day! This afternoon I rode on top of a Jeepney in a huge rainstorm. Such a cool moment in my life.... riding on top of a car in the Philippines in a rainstorm!
 |
| Not even a remote favorite, but you get my point. My backyard is B-E-A-U-tiful. |
It is around this time that everything starts to really sink in. Things like, 'oh my goodness, you only get to watch 16 more of these before you're jetting off into one'. Or, 'you have to spend six months without seeing your husband. At all. He's night a short plane ride away from you'.
Last night Tucker and I visited our favorite restaurant one more time before I left. We usually go twice a year for super special occasions. It only took five minutes, but I was getting teary. La is so special to us and this was the last time we were going to be able to experience it together for quite some time.
On the other side of that coin: I'm ecstatic. The closer I get to leaving, the more empowered I feel. Finally I get to adventure like I have always wanted to. Asia was the last place I thought I'd move, but this is my dream. I'm doing it. I'm living this out and it is actually happening. It is happening in 16 days.
6-14-13
Here is a list of everything I am going to absolutely demand for the week after I get home:
Pickles- well duh.
Chorizo, Potato, Onion, Salsa, Egg Scramble.
Steak.
Lobster.
Sausage Kale Soup.
Pickled Garlic.
Garlic Ice Cream.
8:35 PM
Today has been such a big day. Finding that human mandible was seriously a high light of mine. I really am considering going back to school for Anatomy and Biology. It gets me so damn excited. Two burials, one right on top of the other, kids, just so amazing to find. Especially after how much of a clusterf**k our trenches are post- storm.
I miss you. Days here just feel like blurs. Life without you in it every day is the worst. You are truly my best friend. I've never missed you more. This time away has been such a test for us. I can't wait to hold you and love you.
One more day then a break finally! Ifugao day! This afternoon I rode on top of a Jeepney in a huge rainstorm. Such a cool moment in my life.... riding on top of a car in the Philippines in a rainstorm!
Jun 10, 2014
June 12-13, 2013
17 days left here.
6-12-2013
Holy Hangover. Holy rain. All night.
"You're the worst termite EVER!"- we have termites flying around every where and they are starting to annoy some of us.
6-13-2013
Hey Baby!
We got a day off from digging yesterday. That storm knocked out every thing and flooded our trenches with six-eight inches of water. So basically from 10:45-6:25 I cataloged. I even cataloged an hour beyond what I was supposed to. I also got to watch/ kind of help articulate a baby skeleton we found! So excited! I was trying to identify bones. I miss Physical Anthropology. I want to get home and revamp my bone knowledge.
I just farted so loud everyone heard. FML.
Later that night.
Oh my god- I can't wait to go to Europe with you! Our first adventure Yayyyyy! I'm going to start planning in this note book. It lets me escape a little....
Jun 9, 2014
18 Days to Go and June 11, 2013.
I leave in 18 days. One visa down, one to go. Hours of packing. Making the decision on what stays, what is a necessity, what I can live without. This is crazy. Every day that I get closer to leaving I have minor meltdowns. My emotions are a roller coaster; the elation of finally following my dreams and living in another country for a while. Then the absolute devastation of realizing I'm only going to see my husband for a month in the next 14 months. You never really realize how important all of the little things are until you're about to move across the world without the person you spend 98% of your day with. And there are a lot of little things:
Driving to work together. Every day.
Fighting about current events.
Watching Pitch Perfect at least twice a week.
Making dinner and critiquing everything like we are Food Network judges.
Starbucks and Gloria.
Road Nuggs.
Fights about video games.
Video Games in general.
Running around my loop.
Drinking by the pool.f
Mozz, Goo and Bozz.
I could go on and on. I can't say it enough: this is crazy.
06-11-13
My toe still hurts. A lot. I was so glad to talk to you last night. Everyone could tell how happy I was after.
I wrote down quotes:
"How much do I owe you for the charger.... oh wait, you're not Doc"- Brent to Ollie
"In Bali, if you're a Boy/Girl twin they have to get married."- Brent
"Nooooo. I've been to Bali twice and never heard that."- Ollie
"You've never talked about twins, have you?"-Brent
"Now, can any one identify the bones on their plate??"- Adam at dinner. We are eating chicken.
"And then I realized, 'oh holy shit. I just paid $3,400 to live third world for two months'."- Joff
11:30 PM
Writing during a storm, so the writing is barely legible.
I'm writing you by the light off of my phone. Definitely the loudest rainstorm of my life. I am possibly going through a small typhoon. Wish I was joking, but I'm not. The rain is actually deafening outside. It's like being on Haunted Mansion- complete with flashes of lightening through our curtains. I wish we could cuddle baby. I look at so many pictures of you on my phone. I miss you, Turtles.
<3 Coop Cooper
Driving to work together. Every day.
Fighting about current events.
Watching Pitch Perfect at least twice a week.
Making dinner and critiquing everything like we are Food Network judges.
Starbucks and Gloria.
Road Nuggs.
Fights about video games.
Video Games in general.
Running around my loop.
Drinking by the pool.f
Mozz, Goo and Bozz.
I could go on and on. I can't say it enough: this is crazy.
06-11-13
My toe still hurts. A lot. I was so glad to talk to you last night. Everyone could tell how happy I was after.
I wrote down quotes:
"How much do I owe you for the charger.... oh wait, you're not Doc"- Brent to Ollie
"In Bali, if you're a Boy/Girl twin they have to get married."- Brent
"Nooooo. I've been to Bali twice and never heard that."- Ollie
"You've never talked about twins, have you?"-Brent
"Now, can any one identify the bones on their plate??"- Adam at dinner. We are eating chicken.
"And then I realized, 'oh holy shit. I just paid $3,400 to live third world for two months'."- Joff
11:30 PM
Writing during a storm, so the writing is barely legible.
I'm writing you by the light off of my phone. Definitely the loudest rainstorm of my life. I am possibly going through a small typhoon. Wish I was joking, but I'm not. The rain is actually deafening outside. It's like being on Haunted Mansion- complete with flashes of lightening through our curtains. I wish we could cuddle baby. I look at so many pictures of you on my phone. I miss you, Turtles.
<3 Coop Cooper
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